Boeing 767 jets are being checked for problems which could cause a “possible loss of control of the airplane,” according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

On Monday, they published a notice in the Federal Register,ordering inspections to be carried out on these aircraft. This is not the first time the FAA has decided that that the 767 needs to be checked out.

Since 2000 the FAA has ordered numerous inspections, specifically of the elevators, which are the horizontal flight control surfaces essential for climbing and descent.

Although the FAA have not established a direct link between any faulty parts and accidents in which the 767 was involved, they are taking no chances.

United Airlines is the first airline known to have objected to the FAA action. They say that Boeing have dealt with the problem by issuing service bulletins in 2007 and 2008. The FAA, however, have not accepted this objection.

After the issue was made public, a Boeing spokeswoman said the company was working closely with the FAA to monitor the fleet for potential safety issues and would take appropriate actions in “an ongoing and continuous process.”

The picture above shows a LOT Polish Airlines Flight, which landed safely at Warsaw Airport on November 1, 2011, after a mechanical failure of the landing gear forced an emergency landing with the landing gear up. There were no injuries, but the 767 involved was damaged.

This was possibly the first instance of a complete landing gear failure in the 767’s service history. A preliminary investigation suggested a hydraulic leak and a deactivated circuit breaker as probable causes.

Perhaps Boeing 767 jet inspections need to look at more than just elevators.